Runner to aim for state Senate, but not sure when

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press May 11, 2001.

By LISA WAHLA
Valley Press Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Assemblyman George Runner promised to take his fiscal and social conservatism to the state Senate at his campaign's first major fund-raiser.

As of yet, that campaign has no concrete election to shoot for; this summer's redistricting process will determine when and where the Lancaster Republican competes when term limits end his Assembly career.

But that made no difference Thursday night as Runner affirmed the successes of his four-plus years in the state Assembly before an exuberant crowd of more than 230 supporters.

"I can't believe I'm in my last term," he said. "I feel like I'm just getting going."

With 18 major sponsors and a $125 ticket price, Runner's push for a Senate seat "got going" in a big way. The evening apparently raised about $50,000 for the campaign.

Held at the home of Ralph and Virginia Bozigian, the dinner featured a warm, familial atmosphere with many of Runner's family members, old friends and the requisite Antelope Valley movers and shakers. Included were many school, city, hospital and AV Fair Board officials who won their offices with Runner's support.

The food was good, the weather was pleasant and the wind calmed for the backyard gathering.

The center of attention, of course, was Runner, who mingled with the crowd, shouting hellos and thanking supporters.

Runner started his political career in 1992 on the Lancaster City Council after founding and running Desert Christian Schools for two decades.

In 2002, term limits will force him out of the Assembly where he has risen to the rank of top Republican on the all-important Budget Committee.

In that role, Runner said he has helped carve $5 billion in tax relief while returning funds to local control, both in education and in local governments.

"You have to remember, the state doesn't manufacture dollars - that comes from the taxpayers," he said. "When you have a surplus, it because we've overtaxed Californians."

In a brief speech between dinner and dessert, Runner touched on the energy crisis, his accomplishments and his hopes of "serving the community for many years to come."

"It's a crazy place full of crazy people, but we're trying to bring some sanity to (Sacramento) and help some people," he said.

Runner has won "Legislator of the Year" titles from various organizations and passed a remarkable number of bills, particularly when considering the strong Democratic majority in Sacramento.

He reminded his constituents of two of those successes Thursday night.

"I love coming home from the airport at 2:30 on a Thursday afternoon and being able to drive in the HOV lane by myself," he said to scattered chuckles. "I love the fact that we have libraries that are open on weekends for our children."

After his speech, Runner maintained he has not become the dreaded "career politician," pointing out his 20 years in education before taking elected office.

"I'm only a visitor in Sacramento," he said.

If elected to the Senate, he said he would continue to focus attention on California's aerospace industry. He would use his budget-making experience to protect taxpayers and to return more control to locally elected decisionmakers.

And, he said, he'd continue efforts to start a four-year California State University campus in the Antelope Valley.

The great unknown, at least for now, is how the political map will shape up when the next elections roll around.

Runner - and the rest of California - won't know what the next legislative districts will look like until September.

Mapmakers are working on drafts, using data from the 2000 U.S. Census in the redistricting process that follows the census every 10 years.

If the next Senate seat resembles the current 17th District, Runner will wait until state Sen. William J. "Pete" Knight terms out of office in 2004.

However, it remains a possibility that the Valley could be split into two districts, with Knight's Palmdale residence separated from Runner's Lancaster home. If that happens, Runner might be able to run for a newly created seat in 2002.